Relaxation Program
The Purpose
To offer the experience of relaxation through gentle and safe touch. Clients remain clothed and may receive treatment(s) in an ordinary armchair, a massage chair, or lying on a massage table. Up to six sessions may be offered to each client.
Mind/Body Awareness
Being able to quieten the mind and take slow breaths facilitates the muscles in the body to release tension and relax. This program helps clients to have an experience of calmness and stillness by reducing the stimulation of the nervous system. The body’s natural intelligence re-establishes harmony and balance which creates a sense of well-being.
Practitioners
Our Relaxation Program sessions are facilitated by volunteers who have receive Basic Hospice Training plus additional certificate preparation in various energy-based modalities such as Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, Healing Pathways, and Reiki. All volunteers have an awareness of the psychological and emotional stress experienced by those coping with illness and/or grief.
Who may benefit from this program?
- Those who have a life-limiting illness
- Those who are experiencing grief, anxiety, and/or are caregivers of a dying person
- Those who are participants in one of the support groups offered by Chilliwack Hospice Society
- Those are who are active volunteers at Chilliwack Hospice Society
Where is this given?
Cascade Hospice on McIntosh Avenue and Chilliwack Hospice Society on Vedder Road
What is Healing Touch?
Healing Touch (HT) is an energy based approach to health and healing. It uses touch to influence the body’s energy system; using non-invasive hand movements, the practitioner works to clear, energize, and balance the body’s energy field. In so doing, the practitioner can affect physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and healing.
It is based on a caring relationship between the practitioner and the client aimed at facilitating health and healing. The goal in HT is to restore harmony and balance in the client’s energy system and promote self-healing. HT complements conventional health care and is used in collaboration with other approaches to health and healing.
HT is a multi-level program in energy-based therapy developed by American nurse, Janet Mentgen. Each level in the HT Program includes both instruction and experiential learning in which participants practice and share experiences using energy-based healing techniques. In addition, the practitioner enhances their skills and knowledge through recommended reading and practice sessions. The Healing Touch certificate program is taught worldwide. Courses have been offered in Canada since 1990.
How is it useful?
Scientific research continues to suggest that Healing Touch (HT) is helpful in promoting relaxation, reducing pain, and managing stress. It can also be effective in speeding tissue and bone healing and strengthening the immune system. Many people describe an increased sense of well-being after treatment. HT is used for surgery, pregnancy and labour, headaches, back and neck pain, bone fractures, cancer, grief, arthritis, depression, PMS, viral infections, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, and many other situations. It is useful in combination with traditional medicine as part of an effective health care program.
After talking with the client for a few minutes the Healing Touch practitioner will have the fully clothed client lie down or sit comfortably to receive the treatment. The practitioner will move his or her hands in a gentle motion around the client’s body. Light touch may also be used. Clients are welcome to ask questions or rest during the treatment. Recipients may notice tingling, temperature changes, and/or muscle twitching. Often recipients feel extremely relaxed and/or fall asleep during treatments. A session can last 30 minutes to an hour, or less depending on your needs.
Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.
Referrals to Chilliwack Hospice Society may be made by the patient, family, attending physician, social worker or health care provider. There is no cost for our services.
Guidelines
Please be on time — clients who arrive late will have their appointments shortened accordingly
Call us if you must cancel — (604) 795-4660
Please turn off your cell phone during treatment.